Where Do Old CRTs Go to Die?

In the third quarter of 2003, LCDs outsold CRTs for the first time; and Rhoda Alexander, director of monitor research for ISuppli/Stanford Resources, reports that they're expected to dominate sales in 2004. But at least five states have passed laws banning CRTs from their landfills, according to the Environmental Protection Agency. And monitors aren't the only problem. The National Recycling Coalition (NRC) has estimated that nearly 500 million PCs in the United States will become obsolete between 1997 and 2007.

Dell, Gateway, HP, and IBM all offer business and consumer recycling options. Some charge a moderate fee for taking old equipment from any manufacturer off your hands; several offer rebates good for new products to recyclers; and two might even pay you if they can sell your unwanted devices.